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John Wayne Whitmore, 65

John Wayne Whitmore (2014-06-20)

John Wayne Whitmore, a 65-year-old black man, died Friday, June 20, after being beaten a week earlier at a Metro Blue Line stop in the 11600 block of Willowbrook Avenue in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

On June 13, Whitmore was standing on the train platform at the Imperial/Wilmington stop when two black women approached him and began to beat him, said Lt. Dave Coleman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

After Whitmore collapsed, the women fled. Whitmore was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead June 20 at 2 a.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

An autopsy concluded that Whitmore died of blunt head trauma. Detectives are reviewing surveillance to try to identify the women.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

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